This document discusses the partogram, which is a graphical record used to monitor labor. It outlines the components and advantages of the partogram, including early detection of abnormal labor progress. Monitoring labor with a partogram can reduce complications for both mother and baby by allowing timely interventions if problems arise. The document reviews normal labor progress as well as abnormalities like prolonged active phase or arrest of descent. Use of the partogram is recommended to improve perinatal outcomes at all levels of care.

1. Partogram
Associate Clinical Prof. Dr. Aisha M. El-Bareg, MD, PhD
Senior Consultant in (Obs & Gyn)/ Reproductive Medicine
Faculty of Medicine, Misurata .LIBYA

2. • The intrapartum period is probably the most
dangerous and traumatic period – a time
associated with a high mortality and morbidity
for both mother and child.
• Maternal and fetal monitoring are essential to
pick up problems early and thus institute timely
intervention.
Why Monitor ???????

3.  Complication of prolonged labour
 Maternal
 Maternal exhaustion
 Increased incidence of CS
 Birth canal injuries if forceps is used
 Risk of rupture uterus -MP
 PPH, Puerperal sepsis
 Fetal
 Fetal distress, Chorioamnionitis, neonatal
sepsis.
 ICH- if forceps is used.

4. Partogram- Definition
 A composite graphical record of progress of labor
on a single sheet of paper.
 It was developed and extensively tested by the
WHO 1994.
 Can serve as an ‘early warning system’ & assist in
making decisions and interventions.

5. Advantages-Partogram
 To assess labor at glance, early detection of
abnormal progress of labor.
 Prevention of prolonged labor.
 Recognition of CPD long before obstructed labor
 Can allow time & discussion of further
management of labor (Augmentation or
termination of labor).
 Make observation & recording of Feto-maternal
condition more objectively.

6. Advantages-Partogram
 Early recognition of Feto-maternal problems.
 Highly effective in reducing complications from
prolonged labor for the mother (postpartum
hemorrhage, sepsis, uterine rupture and its
sequelae) and for the newborn (death, anoxia,
infections, etc.)
 Reduce incidence of CS rate.
 Facilitates handover procedure.

7. Disadvantages-Partogram
 Assumes that all women progress at same rate
– May influence intervention rate.
 Clinical findings have subjective variations.
 Lack of knowledge.
 Non availability of printed partographs.
 Duplication of recording.

8. Partogram - History
Emanuel Friedman's Partogram - 1954
 Based on observations of cervical dilatation and
fetal station against time elapsed in hours from
onset of labor.
 The time of onset of labor was based on the
patient's subjective perception of her contractility.
 Plotting cervical dilatation against time yielded the
typical Sigmoid or 'S' shaped curve, and station
against time gave rise to the Hyperbolic curve.

9. Friedman labor curve in nulliparous - 1954

10. 0
2
4
6
8
10
12
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Latent phase Active phase
2nd
stage
1st stage
max slope
acceleration
dec
Time (hours)
Cervicaldilatation(cm) Friedman labor curve in nulliparous
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3

11. Normal progress in labor

12. 1972-Philpott and Castle
•Introduced the concept of “ALERT” & “ACTION”
lines.
•ALERT LINE – represent the mean rate of slowest
progress of labor (1cm/hr ) starting at zero time i.e.
time of admission.
•ACTION LINE – drawn 4 hrs. to the right of the
alert line and parallel to it. If the progress crossed
the alert line, appropriate action should be taken
within 4 hrs.
•Normal labor is plotted to the left alert line

13. The WHO Partogram has been modified in
2000 to make it simpler and easier to use.
 The latent phase has been removed and
plotting on the Partogram begins in the
active phase when the cervix is 4 cms
dilated.

16. Stages of labor
Onset End Duration
1-First stage
Onset of true
labour pains
Full cervical
dilatation
Primi: 12-16
hrs
Multi: 6-8 hrs
2-Second stage
Full cervical
dilatation
Delivery of the
fetus
Primi: 1-2 hrs
Mutti: average
0.5 hrs
3-Third stage
After delivery
of the baby
Complete
expulsion of
placenta and
membranes
Up to 30
minutes
Fourth stage: 1- 2 hours after delivery
(observational)

17. Component of the Partogram

18. Patient identificationPart I :
 Name, Gravida, Parity
 Hospital number
 Date and time of admission
 Time of ruptured membranes.

19. Part II: fetal condition
 Monitor and assess fetal condition
1 - Fetal heart rate
2 - Liquor
3 - Moulding the fetal skull bones

20. FHR Chart:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16Time (Hrs)
180
170
160
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
FHR
Caput
Molding
Liquor
0 +
0 +
C C C C M B A

21. • Cervical dilatation (X)
• Descent of the fetal head (O)
• Uterine contractions
• Fetal position
Progress of laborPart III :

22. :dilatation & descent of headCx
PP Position
CX Dilatn (Cm)10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16Time (Hrs)
HeadStation
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
Action lineLabor progress Alert line

23. Uterine contractions
5
4
3
2
1
Ut. Contra. per
10 Min.
Contra. Duran (Sec)
Weak
Mod
Good
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16Time (Hrs)
<20s
20-40s
>40s

24. Part IV: maternal condition
 Assess maternal condition regularly by monitoring:
 Pulse – Every 30 mins & marked with a dot (•).
 Blood pressure – Recorded in vertical line every 4
hours & marked with arrows.
 Temperature – Recorded every 2 hours.
 Urine volume , analysis for protein and acetone
– Everytime urine is passed.

25. maternal conditionPart IV:
 Oxytocin – Amount per volume IV fluids in drops
per minute, every 30 mins.
 Drugs – Any additional drugs given.
 IV Fluids – type and amount used.

27. Management of labor using the
Partogram

28. Pattern of abnormal progress of labor
Disorders of 1st stage of labor
1. Prolonged latent phase
2. Disorders of active phase

29. A. Prolonged latent phase
B. Prolonged active phase
C. Arrested active phase
stage of laborst1Disorders of

30. Prolonged latent phase
 It is prolonged when its duration exceeds 20 hrs. in
Primi & 14 hrs in Multi.
 According to WHO Partogram, a prolonged latent
phase is “Cervix not dilated beyond 4cms after 8
hrs. from admission.

31.  Expectant
 Awaiting active labour- provided no indication
for delivery.
 Simple analgesics, Mobilization, reassurance
 Active
 If delivery is indicated- Induction /
augmentation labor
 Early ARM- increase risk of prolonged labour
with PPROM- risk of IU infection and neonatal
sepsis, risk of CS 10 folds.
Prolonged latent phase – Management:

32.  Plotting of cervical dilatation will normally remain
on or to the left of the alert line.
 Moves to the right of the alert line warns that labor
may be prolonged.
 Happens if the rate of cervical dilatation in active
phase of labor is less than 1cm/hour within 4hrs.
 At the action line, the woman must be carefully
reassessed for why labor is not progressing and a
decision made on further management.
Prolonged active phase

34. • When the cervical dilatation commences
normally but stops or slows significantly for 2
hours or more prior to full dilatation of cervix.
• Abnormal progress of labor may occur with
normal progress of descent of the fetal head
then followed by secondary arrest of descent of
fetal head.
Secondary arrest of cer vical dilatation
Secondary arrest of head descent

39. 3. Prolonged 2nd stage of labour
 Definition
• PG
• > 2 hrs without epidural anesthesia
• > 3 hr with anesthesia
• MG
• > 1 hr without epidural anesthesia.
• > 2 hrs with anesthesia

40. 1. Protraction of descent
 Descent of presenting part during the 2nd
stage of labor occuring at
 < 1cm/h in PG
 < 2cm/h in MG
2. Arrest (failure) of descent- no progress of
descent for < 2 hrs.

3. Prolonged 2nd stage of labor

41.  Assessment
 Evaluation of uterine activity
 Evaluation of maternal expulsive efforts
 FHR status every 5 min
 Fetal position, Clinical pelvimetry
 Re-estimation of fetal wt
 Management
 Increasing or initiating oxytocin to improve
maternal expulsive effort
 Operative vaginal delivery or CS.

43. Electronic Partogram

46.  Partogram is a Simple, clear, easy-to-use, cost-
effective tool for monitoring of labor and decisions
making.
 The use of the Partogram significantly improves
perinatal outcomes.
 The Partogram can be effectively used in facilities at
any level of care
Partogram- conclusions

47. Partogram- conclusions
 Strictly following the rules for Partogram use
ensures its effectiveness.
 The Partogram should be used for any labor, in high
and low risk women.
 Documented evidence for Medico Legal purpose.
 Educational value for all grades of staff.